Today in history
Today is Tuesday, Dec. 3, the 337th day of 2002. There are 28 days left in the year.

News, notes from the Northwest ...
The International Thespian Society at Bartram Trail High School has recently competed in the district competition. Only six competitors received the Critic's Choice Award.

Column of the day
I hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My husband and I joined my parents for dinner at the Allegro where they live. I have to tell you (and many will appreciate this comment since I'm not known as the best eater in the world) in

Celebration held to honor Lifeline subscriber
A celebration hosted by Lifeline and Flagler Hospital honoring Esther Kramer was held in late November to mark the longtime Lifeline subscriber's 101st birthday. Her birthday was Oct. 21.

95 Cordova to host fashion show
There will be a special showing of Isabela's original designs at the luncheon fashion show Dec. 11 at noon at 95 Cordova in the Casa Monica Hotel.

For the record
All branches of the St. Johns County Public Library System will be closed Thursday for Staff Development Day. All branches will resume normal operating hours on Friday.

Column of the day
The 13th Annual Prelude to Christmas Sectional Bridge Tournament, begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Friday and Saturday, there will be two sessions per day beginning at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.. Lunch will be served between

People: Oasis band members held for questioning
MUNICH, Germany (AP) -- Singer Liam Gallagher and several other members of the British rock band Oasis and its entourage were held for questioning after a fight that left Gallagher with several broken teeth.

U.N. teams make first inspection of an Iraqi palace
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- International inspectors roared up to one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces Tuesday and demanded and received quick entry, in an early test of new powers to hunt for weapons of mass destruction anywhere, anytime in Iraq.

Court to hear case on interrogation limits
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case Wednesday that could provide a glimpse of the justices' thinking about when interrogations by law enforcement officials become abusive.

Bush says inspections not encouraging
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush warned Iraq's Saddam Hussein that he has until a Sunday deadline to prove he is serious about averting war. After the first week of United Nations weapons inspections, Bush said: "So far, the signs are not encouraging."

Sept. 11 conspiracy author to visit U.S. on tour
NEW YORK (AP) -- A French author who suggests that the Sept. 11 attacks were devised by a faction of the U.S. military is planning to promote his book on a tour that will begin in New York City.

Post office prepares for the season of mailing
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A condensed holiday calendar and a solid start to Christmas shopping means the Postal Service will have to hustle this year, but officials said Monday that improved technology and extra service hours will help them deliver seasons greetings and gifts on time.

West Nile case confirmed in Clay County
Northeast Florida has its second case of West Nile Virus. The disease was confirmed yesterday in a 59-year-old Clay County man who was hospitalized last month. A Duval County case was confirmed Saturday.

Beach commissioners seek wide open spaces
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- Not long after being sworn in Monday night, the city's three new commissioners moved to fulfill two of their most repeated campaign promises -- seeking undeveloped land to preserve and changing the city charter.

Duval confirms case of West Nile
Health officials asked people to take precautions yesterday but not panic now that the state's 23rd case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Duval County.

County moves to resurface part of C.R. 210
County Road 210 east of the Palm Valley Bridge will be resurfaced -- a move by the St. Johns Board of County Commissioners that will provide little safety improvement but should appease nearby residents.

High tea to help with fund-raising
During the holiday season, organizations help raise funds for The Empty Stocking Fund. On Wednesday, the Women's Council of Realtors Annual Holiday High Tea & Silent Auction will take place at the Art Association, 22 Marine St., 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Major study on heritage tourism is released
An estimated 6.2 million tourists visited St. Augustine and St. Johns County in the past year, a number nearly double what St. Johns County tourism officials have previously calculated.

Police report
Home and Thunderbird destroyed by fire: A home and a car at the end of West Harris Street in Hastings were destroyed by a fire Saturday at 3 a.m.

Benefit honors Flagler student
TJ's Memorial Benefit will take place at Giggling Gator on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Proceeds will go to the T.J. Stockdale Memorial Scholarship at Flagler College and to the United States Lifesaving Association (Lifeguards).

Police report
Ketamine theft arrest: Five bottles of Ketamine, a controlled substance, were stolen Monday from Matanzas Animal Clinic on U.S. 1 South, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office said.

Virginia Crozier Long
Virginia "Ginny" Crozier Long, 85, St. Augustine, died Dec. 1, 2002, at Flagler Hospital. She was a native of Philadelphia and had resided in St. Augustine since 1988, moving here from West Chester, Pa. She was retired from the William Penn School District where she started as a school nurse and later served as the school psychologist and director of special education. She received her nursing degree from Presbyterian School of Nursing, her bachelor's degree from West Chester University and her master's degree from Temple University. She served as past president of the Delaware County District Nurses Association and was a member of the Darby-Colwyn Education Association, both while living in Pennsylvania. She was a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Fanny Goldman Whitley
Fanny Goldman Whitley, 89, St. Augustine, died on Dec. 2, 2002. She was born in Palatka and her family moved to Jacksonville where she graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. Her family moved to St. Augustine in 1933.

James H. Tomlinson
James H. Tomlinson, 45, died Dec. 1, 2002, in Green Cove Springs. He was a truck driver and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Sprague Curtis
Dr. Sprague Curtis died on Nov. 30, 2002, in St. Augustine. He was a graduate of the Harvard-Tufts Medical School, served six years as flight surgeon during World War II and practiced for 30 years as a surgeon in Springfield, Mass. Dr. Curtis retired to St. Augustine in 1986. He was a member of the Marsh Creek Country Club and the Longmeadow Country Club, Longmeadow, Mass.

Salah Fawzi Ali
Salah Fawzi Ali, Ph.D., 79, St. Augustine, died Dec. 2, 2002, at Kindred Hospital, Green Cove Springs. He had resided in St. Augustine since 1986. He was retired from Block Drug Store Company in the research and development division. He was a member of American Pharmacy Association and Sigma Xi.

Ambrose C. Masters
Ambrose C. "A.C." Masters Jr., died Dec. 1, 2002, at Flagler Hospital. He was born on Dec. 18, 1924, in St. Augustine. He attend Cathedral Parish School and was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy locally and Stetson University, DeLand. He was retired from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in naval aviation and antisubmarine warfare. He was a member of the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Patrol Craft Sailors Association (of WWII) and the Menorcan Cultural Society.

Letter: What about the children?
Editor: I really enjoyed Brian Thompson's article about Amendment 9 in the Compass. But on a sad note we have passed an amendment for pigs while our children's services department is lacking. Children are missing, abused and God only knows what else. There are quite a few children who have no voice, they can't be found, but we will vote yes to an amendment about caging pigs. I am an animal lover but I believe this is ludicrous! Why not take care of these innocent children before we try to protect pigs? It would be interesting to find out how many people who eat veal or wear furs voted yes for this amendment. More money is spent for sea oats, turtles, manatees, the list could go on forever, but what about the children? Our education system, for example. How much money has gone into the lottery? Why doesn't someone in office let us know exactly where the money is going? Our school system is ranked below almost everyone in the United States. I would like our legislators, senators and other politicians to explain this to everyone! Any takers on an explanation? We'll see! Because as we all know "pork fat rules."

Letter: A thousand 'nos'
Editor: This letter is in response to Mr. Harrington's letter titled "Voters don't listen to every Tim, Dick and Billary," printed in the Nov. 12 edition.

Letter: St. Augustine officials answer the call
Editor: The St. Augustine High School Football Boosters extends a huge thanks to the St. Augustine City Commission, all the department heads and city staffers who answered the call to support the Booster Club in running the concession stands during last week's state series playoff game against Bishop Kenny.

Letter: Lights, noise disturbing
Editor: I write this in "extreme" protest for myself and neighbors. Sir, the asphalt plant just down the road from your location, has a policy that disrupts everyone's life in this immediate area, i.e., working all night, causing noise that disrupts sleep, turning on "bright" lights that penetrate windows of adjacent homes!

Letter: Wants list of residents
Editor: I am requesting that The St. Augustine Record give consideration to printing a list of residents in local nursing homes for entry in the weekend edition.

Letter: Iraq may not be the enemy
Editor: In the Nov. 22, page 4A of The St. Augustine Record, in the list of terrorists, "Terror's Score Card," it is interesting to note that not one Iraqi was named. All terrorists listed are from other Arab countries, none from Iraq. In the same issue there was an article about an existing Christian minority in Iraq. Unlike Saudi Arabia where any Christian caught carrying a Bible or a rosary could be jailed or publicly beheaded preaching Christianity. Iraq tolerates Christianity. In fact there are Christian churches in Iraq which is unthinkable in Saudi Arabia. To recall, all the terrorists involved in the New York WTC and Pentagon attacks were either Saudi citizens or other Arab nationals but not one Iraqi. After the attack, Osama bin Laden was videotaped and shown worldwide having a hearty laugh conversing with a Saudi financier. Osama and his family are one of the wealthiest Saudi families. Recently there were reports that the wife of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States is linked with financing terrorist organizations. These are personal observations, and one wonders who really is the real enemy of the United States?

Raiders' humble hero
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- After throwing another perfect pass that made another teammate look very good, Rich Gannon watched approvingly as the Oakland Raiders honored Tim Brown on the field for his 1,000th career reception.

W. Virginia sends UF to second loss
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Joe Herber was one of the last players West Virginia coach John Beilein wanted to take a shot with the game on the line.

Dave McNally dead at 60
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- Dave McNally, a three-time All-Star whose landmark victory in an arbitration case opened baseball's free-agent era and led to multimillion-dollar salaries, died of cancer at age 60.

Flames fire coach Gilbert after slow start
DENVER (AP) -- The last-place Calgary Flames fired head coach Greg Gilbert and assistant Brad McCrimmon on Tuesday, after losing 11 of 12 games and enduring one of the worst months in team history.

Warner out two weeks with broken hand
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Kurt Warner's forgettable season got worse Monday when X-rays showed he has a broken right hand. Warner will miss at least the St. Louis Rams' next two games.

Thome inks deal with Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- Jim Thome, the most coveted hitter in the free-agent market, agreed Monday to a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, two baseball officials said.

No. 18 Kentucky 84, High Point 64
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Keith Bogans scored 21 points and Gerald Fitch added 18 points and six assists to lead No. 18 Kentucky to a victory over High Point in the Wildcats' home opener.

Local creator of Lincoln Continental dies
DETROIT (AP) -- Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie, the first design chief of the Ford Motor Co. and the creator of the venerable Lincoln Continental, has died at the age of 94.

Endeavour ends space station stay
CAPE CANAVERAL (AP) -- Space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the international space station on Monday and headed for home with the one American and two Russians who spent the past six months aboard the orbiting outpost.

King wins stay of execution for DNA tests
STARKE (AP) -- Amos King, who escaped two other dates with death this year, escaped a third time Monday when Gov. Jeb Bush granted a 30-day stay so DNA tests can be run.

Panel debates future of prepaid tuition, Bright Futures
TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- The future of two of the most popular programs for Florida college students -- prepaid tuition and Bright Futures scholarships -- was debated Tuesday by a panel examining the state's higher education system.

Hundreds sick in latest cruise ship incident
MIAMI (AP) -- A Carnival cruise ship returned from a three-day sail Monday carrying almost 200 people who had contracted a gastrointestinal virus, with symptoms similar to those plaguing other cruise liners.

Saudi Arabia disputes allegation over terrorist funding
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Saudi Arabia went on the diplomatic offensive Tuesday, announcing new measures to deny funds to terror groups and disputing allegations it has done a poor job in keeping the money out of terrorists' hands.

U.N. teams search Iraqi missile nerve center
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- It was combed over by inspectors, then blasted for days by U.S. air attack. But four years later the Karama ballistic design plant is still a focus of world concern, a place where new U.N. inspectors Monday conducted their longest search yet, looking for signs of outlawed Iraqi missiles.